In this episode of The Hirewell Update, Ryan Ross welcomes Jeff Smith to talk through why now, not January, is the critical window for 2026 hiring plans.

They break down what proactive talent strategy actually looks like, why waiting until Q1 is a losing move, and how the smartest companies are blending internal recruiting with flexible RPO support to meet demand without overcommitting.

From signs of strength in go-to-market hiring to the resurgence of talent acquisition roles, this episode is your playbook for turning Q4 planning into Q1 execution.

Whether you're building a team or scaling one, this is the conversation you need before the year ends.

Sarah Sheridan sat down with Amanda Hausmann, a former attorney who hit her limit juggling work and motherhood — and turned her burnout into a business that helps other moms do less.

They talk about the meltdown that changed everything, the app she built to connect overwhelmed parents with practical support, and the everyday tools that helped her stop reacting and start living.

Whether you're scaling a business, a household, or both — this one's for you.

Bill and Rosanna sat down with Evan Shy, CEO of HTD Talent, to unpack why tech hiring is still a mess and what actually works when it comes to building capability inside modern teams.

They get into:

• Why "entry-level" now requires 3 years of experience

• What guided development actually looks like inside an enterprise

• How to embed senior talent that trains while shipping

• Why AI isn't the answer unless you fix your workflows first

If your digital transformation stalled or your entry-level pipeline dried up, this one's worth a listen.

No guest this week — just Bill and Rosanna going deep on 15+ years in recruiting. From the early days of talent search to the trends shaping 2025, they share what's changed, what hasn't, and what every hiring leader needs to know right now.

In this episode:

• How the market really moves
• The rise of private equity hiring
• When to bring in RPO support
• Why great executive hires are never just luck
• A few fun origin stories from the early days

Whether you're a talent leader, recruiter, or exec looking to scale, this episode is packed with sharp insights and real talk from the frontlines of hiring.

Six years off. One massive comeback. Zero regrets.

In this episode of The Balancing Act, Sarah Sheridan sits down with Susan Scutt, private equity operator, single mom, and comeback queen.

She walked away from work to raise her daughters. Then walked back in and built a bigger, bolder career.

We get into:

• The role she turned down (and why it wasn't worth it)
• What her kids taught her about leadership
• Why tough love works—at home and in the boardroom

It's a no-fluff conversation about ambition, resilience, and letting go of guilt. Especially for women who've hit pause—and are ready to hit play again.

We sat down with Andrew Zuckerman to talk about what small and scaling businesses get wrong about HR and how to fix it.

From 48-hour compliance assessments to rebuilding onboarding in a pinch, Andrew explains how fractional HR can solve real problems fast.

If you're a founder, ops leader, or someone building the HR function from scratch, this one's packed with practical insight.

Whelp, that's a wrap. After 20 years, James is leaving the recruiting industry behind. And Hirewell. And the 10 Minute Talent Rant.

But not before taking a few parting shots at the recurring issues in the recruiting space that never seem to go away.

Jeff Smith and James Hornick stick a fork in their show in The 10 Minute Talent Rant, Episode 116: "The Final Rant"

This week, Sarah Sheridan chats with Mike Sharifi, a private equity exec and dad of two, about what it really takes to show up fully — at home and at work. From daily calendars to dishes, lead parenting to late-night laptop sessions, Mike shares how his family finds balance in a fast-paced world.

Tune in to hear how being a present parent has made him a more thoughtful leader — and how he's rewriting the rules of what working fatherhood looks like today.

What's helped you keep work and home in harmony?